Laurel Duvall, National Import Specialist for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Commodity Specialist Division, and Kristin Mowry of Mowry & Grimson PLLC, the firm that represented the coalition of wood products importers and U.S. manufacturers that contested the case, will share their expertise about the scope of ITCs the decision and what companies should keep in mind when importing plywood products into the United States.

The session,“Beyond Scope: Classification and Anti-Circumvention Following the Chinese Plywood Ruling,” will cover how this decision and the resulting duties will impact their businesses.

“We are excited to have seasoned experts like Ms. Duvall and Ms. Mowry joining us in New Orleans. The Chinese Plywood anti-dumping/countervailing duty case is having far-reaching impacts," says IWPA Executive Director Cindy Squires. "Many firms have questions as they adjust to this new market reality." Squires says this is a must-attend session for plywood importers and for suppliers to the U.S. market.

The IWPA 62nd World of Wood Annual Convention hosted by the International Wood Products Association brings together executives from every segment of the North American imported woods industry. This year’s Convention, which will take place March 14-16, 2018, at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, will feature speakers and panel discussions focusing on economic trends affecting the wood products market, leadership strategies, best practices for working with suppliers on due care compliance, the latest on customs classification and the EPA formaldehyde regulation, and emerging trends in global trade.

Top-notch speakers and panels will provide the latest market intelligence, regulatory developments, and global perspectives at the World of Wood Convention, which will gather over 300 importers, U.S. manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, offshore suppliers and service providers from nearly 30 countries.

Attendees and their families can take advantage of fun activities and networking events including the IWPA Annual Golf Classic at Bayou Oaks at City Park and a New Orleans walking tour and lunch at the iconic Antoine’s Restaurant. The convention will conclude in true Mardi Gras fashion with a second line parade from the hotel to our closing Passing the Gavel reception and dinner.

The World of Wood will take place in the historic Hotel Monteleone, a family-owned and operated hotel first built in 1886.

Established in 1956, the International Wood Products Association (www.IWPAwood.org) is the leading international trade association for the North American imported wood products industry, representing 220 companies and trade associations engaged in the import of hardwoods and softwoods from sustainably managed forests. Association members consist of three key groups involved in the import process: U.S. importers and consuming industries, offshore manufacturers and the service providers that facilitate trade.

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Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com (Editorial Director).

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill avidly supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the advisory board of the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks educational organization; and currently with the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee, which supports educator scholarships, and develops high school and secondary school curricula in concert with efforts to certify manufacturing professionals skills standards. He is also on the Industry Advisory Board of the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained and place more than 950 adults in industrial in wood manufacturing careers through its award-winning grant-funded training program.

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station located at the heart of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark in North West Ireland. Foinse Research Station is focused on providing a platform for third level and university level research in forests, woodlands, blanket bogs, geology, archaeology, speleology and hydrology. Foisne is one of more than 1,200 biological field stations around the globe and one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.